Exercising device for isometric and isotonic exercises



G. E. HENSON Dec. 29, 1970 EXERCISING DEVICE FOR ISOMETRIC AND ISOTONIC EXERCISES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 12, 1968 INVENTOR. GLEN E. HENSON M ia.

ATTORNEYS ecu 29, 1970 G. E. HENSON 3,550,449

EXERCISING DEVICE FOR ISOMETRIC AND ISOTON IC EXERCISES Filed Feb. 12, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 INVENTOR. 68 GLEN E. HEN SON wgmm ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,550,449 EXERCISKNG DEVICE FOR ISOMETRIC AND ISOTONIC EXERCISES Gien E. Henson, P.O. Box 266, 1201 S. Osage, Independence, Mo. 64051 Filed Feb. 12, 1968, Ser. No. 704,889 Int. Cl. G011 1/00 US. Cl. 73379 11 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An exercising apparatus requiring the application of force to overcome a sliding frictional resistance between a rope and a shaft which is rotatable to vary the magnitude of the resistance by varying the number of turns of the rope around the shaft. A detent is associated with the shaft to hold the shaft in a selected position while the rope is pulled through the apparatus. The rope is guided onto opposite ends of the shaft by guide members and the rope is guided around the intermediate portion of the shaft by a stub shaft extending outwardly from the shaft. The apparatus is anchored against displacement during use by having a member extending outwardly from one end of the apparatus inserted into a receiver. The exercising apparatus includes a handle removably mounted on at least one end of the rope for pulling the rope through the exercising apparatus thereby exercising,.selected muscles by overcoming a preselected magnitude of sliding frictional resistance between the rope and the shaft.

The present invention relates generally to the physical conditioning art and more particularly to a novel exercising apparatus which is particularly appropriate for but not limited to home use.

The principal objects of the present invention are: to provide a novel exercising apparatus which is particularly appropriate for home use, i.e. one which is quiet, safe and relatively inexpensive; to provide such an apparatus which can be easily and quickly adjusted to conform to individual requirements of the user; to provide such an apparatus which is particularly adapted for exercising selected portions of the body; to provide such an exercising apparatus which can be employed for isometric exercises and isotonic exercises including all types of conventional exercises such as those employing pushing, pulling, bending and stretching; to provide such an apparatus which provides a continuous resistance of a constant magnitude throughout the range of motion of the selected exercise as developed by sliding frictional resistance between a moving rope and a shaft held against rotation with the magnitude of the resistance being determined by the number of rope turns around the shaft; to provide such an exercising apparatus having novel removable handles whereby the type of handle selected is determined by the type of exercise to be performed; to provide novel supporting means for retaining the apparatus against displacement during use; to provide such an exercising apparatus having novel rope guiding means whereby the rope is wound evenly around the shaft and winding of the rope on itself is prevented; and to provide a novel exercising apparatus which is portable, compact in size, light in weight, inexpensive to manufacture, and durable in use whereby it may be used in any type or size of room.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth by way of illustration and example certain embodiments of this invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exercising apparatus embodying features of the present invention.

3,550,449 Patented Dec. 29, 1970 FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the exercising apparatus with a back portion removed.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view through the exercising apparatus taken on line 3-3, FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of one end of a rope having a double grip bar type handle mounted thereon for use with the exercising apparatus.

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of one end of the rope with each having a single grip loop-type handle mounted thereon for use with the exercising apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a modified form of shaft and rope engaging members.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

The reference numeral 1 generally designates an exercising apparatus for use with a length of rope 2 which is particularly adapted for but not limited to home use. An intermediate portion of the rope 2 is wound or turned around an elongate shaft 3 with opposite ends of the rope extending outwardly from the exercising apparatus transverse to the shaft. Pulling on one end of the rope 2 develops a sliding frictional self braking resistance between the rope 2 and the shaft 3 with the magnitude of the resistance being determined by the number of rope turns around the shaft which is held against rotation during pulling of the rope through the apparatus.

The shaft 3 is rotatably supported in a housing 4 to vary the magnitude of the resistance by varying the number of rope turns around the shaft 3. The walls of the housing 4 define an interior chamber 5 having various rope guiding and engaging members therein, as later described.

In the illustrated structure the housing 4 is divided into front and back portions 6 and 7 respectively with the front portion 6 including a front wall 8 and an outwardly extending flange 9 from the edges of the front wall 8. The back portion 7 includes a back Wall 10 and an outwardly extending flange 11 from the edges of the backwall 10. The flange 9 is adapted to engage the outwardly extending flange 11 thereby defining the interior chamber 5 when the front and back portion 6 and 7 are secured together.

Suitable fastening devices, such as screws 12, extend through the back wall 10, through the chamber 5, and are received in suitable threaded sockets 13 in the interior surface of the front wall 8. In addition to the screws 12, a suitable fastening device, such as a screw 14 extends through the back wall 10 and is engaged in a suitable threaded receiver 15 in the interior surface of the front wall 8. The screws 12 and 14 are illustrated as being received in countersunk holes in the back portion 7 whereby the screw-heads are flush with the exterior surface of the housing thereby providing a smooth finished appearance.

In the illustrated structure, the elongate shaft 3 extends through the chamber 5 substantially parallel with the front and back walls 8 and 10* and has opposite ends 16 and 17 rotatably supported in the flanges 9 and 11. One of the shaft ends, as for example end 16, extends through a passageway 18 formed by semi-circular recess s 19 extending inwardly into the flanges 9 and 11. It is preferred that the diameter of the passageway 18 be only slightly larger than the exterior of the shaft 3 thereby permitting only a minimum of lateral displacement during rotation of the shaft. The other end of the shaft 3 is rotatably supported in a recess 20 formed in but not extending through the flanges 9 and 11.

A lug 21 extends outwardly from the shaft 3 intermediate the ends 16 and 17 thereof to guide the rope 2 while winding around the intermediate portions of the shaft. The lug 21 is illustrated as a substantially cylindrical stub shaft extending radially outwardly from the shaft 3 and having a rounded surface or a suitable groove 22 in the surface thereof to retain the rope in engagement with the lug 21.

A ring or sleeve 23 is radially spaced outwardl from an intermediate portion of the shaft 3 to guide the rope 2 onto the intermediate portion of the shaft 3, maintain the rope 2 around the shaft 3, prevent binding of the rope 2 when tension is released from one end thereof, and prevent the rope winding on itself during rotation of the shaft. The sleeve 23 may extend through the chamber 5 and may have opposite ends suitably secured to the flanges 9 and 11 with appropriate openings at the opposite ends and intermediate the ends thereof to permit entry of the rope 2 at the opposite ends 15 and 16 of the shaft 3 and to permit the rope to engage the lug 21 respectively. However, it is preferable that the sleeve 23 be suitably mounted on the free end of the lug 21, as by a screw 24, and have a length substantially less than the diameter of the stub shaft 21, and be received in a slot 25 in said free end.

Guide members 26 and 27 are positioned in the interior chamber 5 in spaced relation with the flanges 9 and 11 and with the opposite ends 16 and 17 of the shaft 3 for guiding the rope 2 onto the opposite ends 16 and 17 during rotation thereof. The guide members 26 and 27 may have openings or passageways through which the rope extends. However, it is preferred that the guide members 26 and 27 extend between the front wall 8 and the back Wall 10 in spaced relation with the opposite ends 16 and 17 and are illustrated as sleeves 28 rotatably mounted around the screws 12 which secure the front and back portions 6 and 7 together.

A suitable handle 29 on the one end 16 of the shaft 3 is adapted to be turned or rotated by an individual using the apparatus 1 to thereby rotate the shaft 3 and wind or turn the rope therearound a selected number of turns or portion thereof depending upon the magnitude of the frictional resistance desired between the rope and shaft. In the illustrated structure, the handle 29 has a suitable gripping portion such as an outstanding rib 30 extending across the center of a ratchet wheel 31 which is preferably in parallel spaced relation with an exterior surface of the housing 4 for easy access by an individual adjusting the magnitude of the sliding frictional resistance.

A plurality of outwardly extending teeth 32 are spaced around the periphery of the ratchet wheel 31 and are adapted to be engaged by a suitable detent 33 to prevent rotation of the shaft 3 when tension is applied to the rope 2. In the illustrated structure, the detent 33 is on a lever 34 which has one end pivotally mounted on the exterior of one side of the housing 4 for movement in parallel spaced relation therewith. The lever 34 is normally held in a locked position by a suitable resilient member, such as a spring 36 having opposite ends mounted in the housing 4 and in the lever 34 respectively. The teeth 32 preferably are of a type permitting only forward rotation of the shaft 3 which increases the frictional resistance while preventing reverse rotation during pulling of the rope through the apparatus.

Indicating means are operatively connected to the shaft 3 for measuring the sliding frictional resistance between the rope and shaft. The indicating means are calibrated to measure the number of turns of the rope around the shaft. In the illustrated structure a gear wheel 35 on the other end 17 of the shaft 3 has a plurality of peripherally spaced teeth 36 which mesh with teeth 37 spaced around the periphery of an indicating gear wheel 38. A suitable scale 39 is mounted on the indicating gear wheel 38 and a suitable fixed reference point or pointer, such as a raised arrow 40, is mounted on the housing 4 preferably on the same side as the gear wheel 38 whereby rotating the shaft 3 rotates the gear wheel 35 thereby moving the scale 39 relative to the arrow 40. The scale is graduated in appropriate units measuring the sliding frictional resistance between the rope and shaft as determined by the number of turns of the rope around the shaft and is preferably calibrated in pounds of pull required to move the rope 2 through the apparatus.

In the illustrated structure, the gear wheel 35 has a diameter substantially less than the diameter of the shaft 3 and is in an enlarged portion 41 of the recess 20, and the indicating gear wheel 38 has a diameter substantially larger than the gear wheel 35 whereby several revolutions of the shaft 3 and gear wheel 35 are required for a single revolution of the indicating gear wheel 38. The indicating gear wheel 38 is suitably rotatably mounted in a suitable recess 42 in the exterior surface of the housing 4, as by a screw or bolt 43 engaged in an car 43 of one of the flanges 9 or 11, with the recess 42 communicating with the enlarged portion 41 whereby the teeth 36 mesh with the teeth 37. The number of revolutions of the gear wheel 35 required to turn the indicating gear wheel 38 through a single revolution is proportional to their respective diameters and the ratio of the respective diameters determines the number of possible turns or portion thereof of the rope around the shaft. In the illustrated structure, the number of turns or portion thereof of the rope around the shaft is limited by a suitable limit member, such as one of the teeth 37 being enlarged or extended as indicated at 44 which will not mesh with the teeth 36 on the gear wheel 35 thereby establishing an upper limit to the magnitude of the resistance.

It is necessary to suitably support the apparatus 1 against displacement during use, therefore it is preferred that the apparatus 1 be removably mounted on a suitable support 45 which is particularly adapted to be mounted on horizontal and vertical surfaces; such as a wall, ceiling or floor depending upon the selected exercise. A receiver 46 is suitably mounted on the support 45, as by screws 47, and has an elongate slot 48 in an upper wall 49 to receive the apparatus, as later described. A movable plate 50 is positioned Within the receiver 46 and is urged toward the upper wall 49 by a suitable resilient member, such as a spiral compression spring 51.

A leg 52 extends transversely outwardly from the bottom exterior surface 53 of the housing 4 and has a foot 54 on its free end which has an outline corresponding to the slot 48. The leg 52 is preferably an elongate cylindrical shaft and the foot 54 is preferably diametrically opposed radially outwardly extending stub shafts each having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the leg 52.

To install the apparatus 1 in the support 45, the foot 54 is inserted into the slot 48, pressure is exerted on the apparatus normal to the plate 50 to move same way from the upper wall 49. The apparatus is turned through an angle of ninety degrees (90) and then pressure on the apparatus is released thereby permitting the spring 51 to effect clamping engagement of the foot 54 between the upper Wall 49 and the movable plate 50. It is preferable that the upper wall 49 have a recess 55 in the interior surface thereof with the recess 55 being transverse to the slot 48 and having a shape substantially corresponding to the shape of the foot 54 for receiving same to prevent turning the apparatus during use. The apparatus 1 is adapted to pivot about the foot 54 in the receiver 46 to thereby be substantially aligned with the direction of pull on the rope with the leg 52 moving longitudinally in the slot 48.

It is preferable that rope passageways 56 and 57 be laterally spaced apart and extend through an upper wall 58 of the housing 4 and that each passageway have opposed flared ends and a diameter only slightly larger than the diameter of the rope thereby permitting the rope to move freely to the respective passageways. The flared ends permit the rope to change direction within the housing 4 to engage the guide members 26 and 27 and to change direction outside the housing 4 depending on the direction of pull on the rope.

It has been found that a particular type of rope develops a measurable self-breaking frictional resistance when pulled across a smooth slick surface, the preferable type of rope being a soft pliable double braided nylon rope with the surface being chrome or nickel plated or chrome over nickel plate. It is therefore preferable that the shaft 3, lug 21 and the guide members 26 and 27 be chrome or nickel plated or chrome over nickel plate.

A handle 59 is removably connected to at least one end of the rope 2 and may be in the form of an elongate bar or shaft 6.0 adapted to be gripped with both hands, as best illustrated in FIG. 4 or a pair of loop-type handles 61 each adapted to be gripped by single hand may be connected to each end of the rope respectively, as best illustrated in FIG. 5, depending upon the selected exercise to be performed.

In the bar-type handle, a rod 62 extends transversely outwardly from a point intermediate the ends of the bar and has one end suitably connected thereto. The rod 62 has a suitable enlarged portion 63 at the other end which is illustrated as radially outwardly extending diametrically opposed ribs 64 and 65. In the illustrated structure, the one end of the rod 62 is threaded and a suitable nut 66 engages the threaded end and the bar or shaft 60 to secure the rod 62 to the shaft 60. A suitable u respectively. The spring 67 urges the washer 68 into firm engagement with the ribs 64 and 65.

In the loop-type handle 61, a gripping portion in the form of a bar or shaft 69 has a U-shaped wire loop 70 suitably connected to opposite ends of the bar 69, as by being inserted into opposite ends thereof. A rod 71 has one end suitably secured to the wire loop 70 as by welding, and has a suitably enlarged portion 72 at the other end which is illustrated as diametrically opposed radially outwardly extending ribs 73 and 74. A spiral spring 75 is sleeved on the rod 71 and opposite ends engaging the wire loop 70 and a suitable movable abutment member, such as a washer 76, respectively. The spring 75 urges the washer 76 into firm engagement with the ribs 73 and 74.

A handle receiver 77 is mounted on each of the ends of the rope 2 and is adapted to quickly receive and retain either type of handle and is adapted to quickly release either type of handle thereby resulting in a substantial time saving when changing handles between different types of exercises. In the illustrated structure, the handle receiver 77 is an elongate tubular member having a body wall 78 extending between opposite end walls 79 and 80. A passageway 81 having a diameter substantially larger than the rope 2 extends through the body wall 78 transversely to the longitudinal axis of the receiver 77 and a passageway 82 having a diameter substantially corresponding to and only slightly larger than the diameter of the rope 2 extends through one end wall, as for example end wall 79.

A handle receiver 77 is mounted on each of the ends of the rope 2 by extending the respective end of the rope into and through the passageway 82 in the end wall 79, out through the passageway 81 in the body wall 78 and tying a knot 83 in the respective end of the rope. The knot 83 is then pulled through the passageway 81 and engages the end wall 79 whereby the knot 83 retains the respective end of the rope 2 in the respective handle receiver 71. An elongate slot 84 in the other end wall has a shape corresponding to and only slightly larger than the enlarged portions 63 and 72 thereby being adapted to receive the bar-type handle or the loop-type handle and being adapted to retain same when the selected handle is rotated ninety degrees (90).

Installing either type of handle in the handle receiver 77 is substantially similar to installing the foot 54 of the apparatus in the receiver 46. The respective washer 68 or 76 engages the end wall 80 and the respective spring 67 or 75 must be compressed to permit the enlarged portions 63 and 72 to be inserted into the slot 84 in the end wall 80. The selected type of handle is rotated ninety degrees (90) and the respective spring permitted to effect clamping engagement of the end wall 80 between the respective washer and ribs.

In use the exercising apparatus 1 is particularly adapted for both isometric and isotonic exercises. It is recommended that each isotonic exercise be preceded by an isometric exercise of a predetemined duration, as for example ten (10) seconds thereby developing strength through the isometric exercise and developing endurance and increased body flexibility through the isotonic exercises. The apparatus 1 is particularly adapted for exercising special muscle groups of the body, as for example: the lower body group including the abdomen, midsection and lower back; the upper body group including the sides and chest; the upper limb group including the arms and shoulders; and the lower limb group including the legs and hips respectively.

To install the rope in the apparatus 1, the front portion 6 is separated from the back portion 7, and the shaft 3 is rotated until the enlarged tooth 44 engages the gear wheel 35 so that only forward rotation of the shaft 3 is possible. The rope is threaded through the passageway 56, between the inside wall of the housing 4 and the guide member 26, through the sleeve 23, around the lug 21, between the inside wall of the housing 4 and the guide member '27, and out the passageway 57. With the rope installed in the apparatus, the front portion 6 and the back portion 7 are secured together by the screws 12 and 14, and the handle 29 is turned to rotate the shaft 3 forward until a desired point on the scale 39 aligns with the arrow 40 thereby indicating the desired frictional resistance, and the detent 33 is then engaged with the teeth 32. The appropriate type handle is then mounted on one or both ends of the rope depending on the type of exercise to be performed. When it is desired to perform another exercise requiring a lower resistance, the detent 33 is disengaged from the teeth 32 and tension is applied to one or both ends of the rope 2 to effect reverse rotation of the shaft 3 and thereby move the scale 39 relative to the arrow 40 to indicate the desired resistance. The detent 33 is re-engaged with the teeth 32 and the exercise performed by pulling the rope through the apparatus.

FIG. 6 illustrates a modified form of the exercising apparatus which has sleeves 85 and 86 extending inwardly into the chamber 5 from the flanges 9 which may be mounted on the front portion 6 or be integral therewith. An elongate shaft 87 is positioned within the sleeves 85 and 86 and has opposite ends rotatably supported in suitable recesses in the flanges 9 and 11 and has a suitable abutment member extending outwardly from intermediate the ends, such as a lug 88 in the form of a stub shaft. The lug 88 is positioned to extend between adjacent or facing ends of the sleeves 85 and 86 and extends outwardly beyond exterior surfaces of the sleeves 85 and 86 a distance sufficient to receive and retain a rope (not shown) extending therearound. It is preferable to retain the rope within the apparatus and to prevent binding of the rope therein when same is disengaged from the lug 88, therefore a ring 89 is suitably secured to the outstanding or free end of the lug 88 to retain the rope in a position to be engaged by the lug 88. A handle and ratchet wheel 90 are mounted on one end of the shaft 87 and a gear wheel 91 on the other end thereof to mesh with an indicating gear wheel 92. The remaining portions of the apparatus are substantially as previously described and illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 inclusive.

In use an intermediate portion of the rope is engaged by the lug 88 and the shaft 87 is turned by the handle 90 to wind or turn the rope around the sleeves 85 and 86. It is preferable that the exterior surfaces of the sleeves 85 and 86 and at least the exterior surface of the portion of the lug 88 engaged by the rope when same is pulled through the apparatus have a smooth slick surface such as chrome or nickel plate or chrome over nickel plate and that the 7 rope be similar to the rope 2 whereby a measurable self breaking sliding frictional resistance is developed between the rope and the sleeves 85 and 86 and the lug 88.

It is apparent that the exercising apparatus as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 inclusive and in FIG. 6 is particularly adapted to be easily adjusted to an increased or decreased magnitude of the resistance between the rope and the surfaces over which the rope slides and to be easily mounted in and removed from the support. The scale mounted on the indicating gear wheel and the fixed reference point on the housing provide a simple and easily read means of indicating the amount of force required to overcome the sliding frictional resistance. It is also apparent that the guide members, the stub shaft, and the ring or sleeve mounted thereon effect an even winding of the rope around the shaft 3 or the sleeves 85 and 86 and prevent binding of the rope within the chamber when the shaft is rotated in a reverse direction to decrease the number of rope turns around the shaft or sleeves thereby resulting in slack in the portion of the rope within the chamber.

It is to be understood that while I have illustrated and described certain forms of my invention, it is not to be limited to these specific forms or arrangements of parts herein described and shown except insofar as such limitations are included in the claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An exercising device, for use with a length of rope compr1s1ng:

(a) an elongated shaft having an outwardly extending lug intermediate opposite ends of said shaft;

(b) an elongated rope having an intermediate portion extending around said lug and portions windable around said shaft, said rope having portions extending transversely to a longitudinal axis of said shaft;

(c) means for winding said rope around said shaft a selected number of turns thereby varying the physical effort required to overcome a sliding frictional resistance between said rope and said shaft;

(d) means for guiding said transversely extending portions of said rope onto said shaft; and

(e) means supporting said shaft against displacement during pulling on one end of said rope to overcome said frictional resistance.

(f) said means supporting said shaft against displacement includes means engaging said elongated shaft for rotatably supporting opposite ends thereof;

(g) said rope winding means includes handle means rigidly connected to one end of said shaft for rotating said shaft to thereby wind said rope around said shaft;

(h) said handle means has a ratchet member mounted thereon; and

(i) a resiliently biased detent member positioned adjacent the handle means is engageable with said ratchet member for prevening rotation of said shaft during pulling on said rope.

2. The exercising device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said rope guiding means comprises:

(a) a housing having walls defining an interior chamber; said shaft extending through said chamber and having said shaft opposite ends rotatably supported on said housing walls; and

(b) a pair of laterally spaced rope passageways extending through one wall of said housing, said rope passageways being transverse to the longitudinal axis of said shaft whereby each of said transversely extending portions of said rope extend outwardly of the housing through a respective rope passageway.

3. The exercising device as set forth in claim 1 includ- (a) means encircling and radially outwardly spaced from an intermediate portion of said shaft for maintaining said rope on said lug, said shaft encircling means being within the interior chamber of said housing, said shaft encircling means forming an anchor point for the end of the lug extending from the shaft.

4. The exercising device as set forth in claim 2 wherein:

(a) said rope guiding means includes guide members laterally spaced from said shafts opposite ends and extending through said chamber transversely of and in spaced relation with said shafts opposite ends for guiding said transversely extending portions of said rope into engagement with said shafts opposite ends;

(b) said lug extends radially outwardly from said elongated shaft and has a rounded surface; and

(c) said shaft encircling means is a sleeve mounted on a free end of said lug whereby said rope is wound evenly on said elongated shaft between each of said shafts opposite ends and said lug and said rope is maintained in engagement with said lug.

5. The exercising device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means supporting said shaft against displacement ineludes:

(a) a base support member having an exercising device receiving means mounted thereon, said receiving means having walls defining a chamber therein, one of said walls having a slot therethrough and a recess therein adjacent said slot;

(b) a support leg extending transversely outwardly from a wall of said housing opposite said one wall; and

(c) a foot on said leg, said foot being shaped to pass through said slot and be received within said recess in said one wall of said chamber within said receiver.

6. An exercising device, for isometric and isotonic exercises using a length of rope, comprising:

(a) a housing having a top wall and a bottom wall and opposite side walls defining an interior chamber;

(b) an elongated shaft extending through said chamber, said shaft having opposite ends rotatably supported on said side walls;

(0) a lug extending radially outwardly from intermediate the ends of said elongated shaft;

(d) a pair of laterally spaced passageways extending through said top wall and each having opposite ends outwardly flared, said passageways extending transversely to a longitudinal axis of said elongated shaft;

(e) an elongated rope having opposite end portions extending through said respective passageways with an intermediate portion extending around said lug;

(f) a cylindrical sleeve member extending inwardly from each of said respective side walls of said housing, said sleeve members terminating in spaced apart facing ends, said elongated shaft extending through said sleeve members and said lug being positioned between said facing ends of said sleeve members;

(g) handle means connected to one end of said elongated shaft for rotating same to thereby wind said rope a selected number of turns or portion thereof around said sleeve members;

(h) resiliently biased detent means engageable with the one end of said elongated shaft for preventing rotation thereof during pulling on said rope;

(i) means mounted on said bottom wall of said housing for supporting the exercising device against displacement during pulling on said rope;

(j) guide members in said housing chamber for guiding said rope onto said sleeve members during rotation of said elongated shaft, said guide members being a pair of laterally spaced elongated members extending through said chamber transversely of and in spaced relation with each of said sleeve members respectively whereby said rope is wound evenly therearound; and

(k) a ring radially spaced outwardly from and around said intermediate portion of said elongated shaft for maintaining said rope on said lug, said ring forming an anchor point for the end of the lug extending from the shaft.

comprising:

(a) an elongated shaft having an outwardly extending lug intermediate opposite ends of said shaft, said opposite ends of said shaft being rotatably supported;

(b) an elongated rope having an intermediate portion extending around said lug;

(c) handle means connected to one end of said shaft for rotating said shaft to thereby wind said rope around said shaft a selected number of turns thereby varying the physical effort required to overcome a sliding frictional resistance between said rope and said shaft;

(d) resiliently biased detent means engageable with one end of said shaft for preventing rotation of said shaft during pulling on said rope;

(e) means supporting said shaft against displacement during pulling on one end of said rope to overcome said frictional resistance;

(f) a housing having walls defining an interior chamber, said shaft extending through said chamber and having said shaft opposite ends rotatably supported on said housing walls;

(g) a pair of laterally spaced rope passageways extending through one wall of said housing, said rope passageways being transverse to the longitudinal axis of said shaft whereby each of the opposite ends of said rope extend outwardly through a respective rope passageway;

(h) force indicating means operatively connected to said elongated shaft; and

(i) means calibrating said force indicating means in units measuring said sliding frictional resistance between said rope and said shaft.

8. An exercising device, for use with a length of rope,

comprising:

(a) an elongated shaft having an outwardly extending lug intermediate opposite ends of said shaft, said opposite ends of said shaft being rotatably supported;

(b) an elongated rope having an intermediate portion extending around said lug;

(c) handle means connected to one end of said shaft for rotating said shaft to thereby wind said rope around said shaft a selected number of turns thereby varying the physical effort required to overcome a sliding frictional resistance between said rope and said shaft;

(d) resiliently biased detent means engageable with one end of said shaft for preventing rotation of said shaft during pulling on said rope;

(e) means supporting said shaft against displacement during pulling on one end of said rope to overcome said frictional resistance;

(f) a housing having walls defining an interior chamber, said shaft extending through said chamber and having said shaft opposite ends rotatably supported on said housing walls;

(g) a pair of laterally spaced rope passageways extending through one wall of said housing, said rope passageways being transverse to the longitudinal axis of said shaft whereby each of the opposite ends of said rope extend outwardly through a respective rope passageway;

(h) a pointer mounted on a second wall of said hous- (i) a gear wheel on the other end of said elongated shaft; (j) a second gear Wheel rotatably mounted on said second wall of said housing and meshing with said first named gear wheel; and

(k) a graduated scale mounted on said second gear wheel whereby said second gear wheel rotates relative to said pointer thereby indicating the sliding frictional resistance between said rope and said elongated shaft during pulling on one end of said rope. 9. The exercising apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein:

10. An exercising device, for use with a length of rope,

comprising:

(a) an elongated shaft having an outwardly extending lug intermediate opposite ends. of said shaft;

(b) an elongated rope having an intermediate portion extending around said lug;

(c) means for winding said rope around said shaft a selected number of turns thereby varying the physical effort required to overcome a sliding frictional resistance between said rope and said shaft;

(d) means supporting said shaft against displacement during pulling on one end of said rope to overcome said frictional resistance;

(e) an elongated tubular member having a body wall with opposite end walls, said tubular member having a passageway extending transversely through said body wall;

(f) a second passageway in one end wall of said tubular member for receiving said rope;

(g) a knot in one end of said rope, said knot engaging said one end wall of said tubular member whereby said knot retains said one end of said rope in said tubular member; and

(h) a handle removably mounted in the other end wall of said tubular member.

11. The exercising device as set forth in claim 10 wherein (a) said handle has an elongated gripping portion;

(b) said handle has a rod connected to and extending transversely of said gripping portion, said rod having opposed enlarged portions at an end opposite the connection to said gripping portion;

(c) said other end wall of said tubular member has an elongated slot through said other end wall of said tubular member, said slot being sized and shaped to permit said opposed enlarged portions of said rod to pass through said slot into said tubular member; and

(d) resilient means are mounted on said rod for retaining said opposed enlarged portions of said rod within said tubular member after said opposed enlarged portions have been positioned normal to said elongated slot whereby said handle is mounted on said one end of said rope.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS GEORGE J. MARLO, Primary Examiner W. R. BROWNE, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R,. 

